“He is a guy that merits to be in Formula 1,” Toto Wolff sympathizes with Nikita Mazepin but understands Haas’ decision


“He is a guy that merits to be in Formula 1,” Toto Wolff sympathizes with Nikita Mazepin but understands Haas’ decision

Mercedes' Team Principal Toto Wolff

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the last week of February, there were speculations of the Haas F1 team cutting all ties with their Russian driver Nikita Mazepin and Mazepin’s father’s company sponsor Uralkali. And to no one’s surprise, the team did cut all ties with their Russian partners, as the team principal Guenther Steiner believes, “It is a headache because it is work but it is not something which disturbs the team on the competition side and financially, we are ok. It has no implementation on the team, how we are running it, how we are doing, how we plan the season. There are more ways to get the funding, so there is no issue with that one.”

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The move by Haas wasn’t forced by any sanctions or governing body such as FIA. Haas, however, decided to go ahead with their call and terminated the contracts. The team also removed Uralkali from its livery during the pre-season testing round in Barcelona. 

Now, Mercedes’ boss Toto Wolff has said he understands how an athlete and here, Mazepin would be feeling. However, he added he understands where Haas’ decision comes from. He said, as quoted by PlanetF1“I’m in two minds because for Nikita himself he is a guy that merits to be in Formula 1, he can drive.”

He added, “You can see that some of the sports’ leagues have decided to allow Russian athletes to compete and others have been stronger in denying them access. I think as an athlete it is a difficult but to support the robust sanctions you can understand why.”

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Toto Wolff’s thoughts on the handling of the situation in F1 and his team

Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff is part of a team of around 1500 people. The team boasts one of the largest staff in Formula 1. And with such huge staff, mostly based in Brackey, come major challenges. 

Amidst the whole chaotic situation unfolding in Europe, Toto shares his concerns. He said, “I am Austrian, and Austria Vienna is only 400 km from Ukraine, and who would have thought that we would see another war in Europe? Formula 1 and the sport seem so miniscule in that context, so we decided not to race in Sochi and I think that Formula 1 has given a robust statement like many other industries in the world.”

“I think this is the overwhelming topic today and it allows us to reflect on all the little annoyances we have in the sport that there is so much more important than this. We have Ukrainians and Russians on the team, it is certainly not easy for all the individuals who have families there,” added Toto.

The boss resonates personally with the developments and changes happening in Europe and seems concerned. He says everything that’s happening is very close to his heart.

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